Girdwood's Keegan Messing is in the hunt for a medal after the first day of men's singles competition Friday at the Canadian National Skating Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Three-time world champion Patrick Chan owns a commanding lead going into Saturday's long program. He scored 103.78 points with his short program to blow away the rest of the field.
Chan is nearly 25 points ahead of his nearest competitor, but there's a real battle behind him. Less than three points separate the next five skaters, a group led by second-place Liam Firus with 78.87 points.
Messing, who has dual citizenship, sits in fourth place with 77.20 points.
At the U.S. National Championships in St. Paul, Minnesota, an Alaska duo finished 12th in the intermediate ice dancing competition.
Tia Gore and Benjamin Klusewitz of the Alaska Association of Figure Skaters totaled 39.29 points to place last in the field.
Ashley Wagner, formerly of Eagle River, placed fourth Thursday in the women's short program. The finals are Saturday.